A very large computer that supports hundreds of users and executes multiple tasks simultaneously.

A large computer that can service many users simultaneously in support of enterprise-wide applications.

a large digital computer serving 100-400 users and occupying a special air-conditioned room

a large, powerful computer that handles the processing for many users simultaneously (up to several hundred users)

a middle-range computer used in systems at universities, factories, or research laboratories

a much larger computer then a personal computer Most often they are capable of handing many time the number of tasks at once as a PC

a special computer that can be used to model the physical world and thus to predict the future (ie weather, the stock market, human mutation paradigms) to a high degree of accuracy, assuming certain boundary conditions are true

a specific and distinct platform as opposed to a personal computer , or an Apple/MAC

An expensive, sophisticated, general-purpose computer that can be simultaneously accessed by many users and that usually has a wide range of peripherals. Mainframes are distinguished from minicomputers and microcomputers primarily by their computational power.

A computer used in large organizations (such as hospitals, large businesses, and colleges) that need to manage large amounts of centralized data and run multiple programs simultaneously.

Large-scale computer, such as those produced by IBM, Burroughs, Univac, NCR, Control Data, and Honeywell. Typically mainframe computers function as hosts in a hierarchical network.

A high-end computer processor, with related peripheral devices, capable of supporting large volumes of batch processing, high performance on-line transaction processing systems, and extensive data storage and retrieval. SIMILAR TERMS: Host Computer.

A powerful computer used for computing-intensive tasks.

A large, stationary computer that requires space in an air conditioned room. Such machines are able to store massive amounts of data, support many users simultaneously, and run a wide variety of applications all at one time. Before home computers became available in the early 1980s, mainframes were the only computers. They were used by governments world-wide and large corporations. IBM and Unisys are the leading manufacturers of mainframe computers.

A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands of users simultaneously. The distinction between the smaller types of mainframes and Minicomputers is difficult to define. It really depends on how the manufacturer chooses to market its machines.

a large computer that supports many users and has the storage and computing capacity needed for large data sets. It generally stores data on large reel-to-reel magnetic tapes that require extensive physical storage space. Users of mainframes use dumb terminals or "tubes" that have screens and keyboards to connect to the mainframe.

A powerful central computer designed for high-level computing tasks. Mainframe computers are often accessed by multiple users via attached workstations.

A large relatively complex computer. Its capacity far exceeds that of the microcomputer.

A large, centralized computer with a great deal of memory and computing power.

A large, fast multiuser computer system, designed to manage very large amounts of data and very complex computing tasks. Mainframes are normally installed in large corporations, universities, or mili ... more

Mainframes (often colloquially referred to as Big Iron) are computers used mainly by large organizations for critical applications, typically bulk data processing such as census, industry/consumer statistics, ERP, and financial transaction processing.